Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air Tuesday night following his recent suspension, delivering emotional remarks but offering no apology for the controversy that led to his absence.

Kimmel did not acknowledge that authorities had identified Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer as having left-wing affiliations.

Instead, he characterized his suspension as a form of “suppression,” a description that drew criticism given that he was reinstated quickly.

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Industry observers noted that his reinstatement showed it was business considerations rather than government interference.

Several affiliate groups chose not to air his program.

Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting declined to broadcast the show, with Sinclair reiterating its position that Kimmel would not return to its stations unless he issued a public apology.

While Kimmel’s return attracted attention, coverage highlighted mixed reactions.

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CNN reported that his comeback episode generated higher-than-usual views on YouTube, with a noticeable spike compared to recent months.

However, CNN also revealed data that pointed to Kimmel’s normal median YouTube viewership averaging approximately 240,000 views over the past six months.

That figure underscored ongoing challenges for Kimmel, whose ratings in traditional television metrics have consistently lagged.

Viewership in the critical 18-to-49 demographic has remained low, especially in comparison to Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, who regularly dominates the late-night ratings competition.

CNN political analyst Harry Enten suggested Kimmel’s return demonstrated resilience, arguing that President Donald Trump had not “broken him” but instead had “energized him.”

“The median Kimmel video gets ~240k views.” is quite an accidental admission about what this is all really about. https://t.co/1Qv7Sp7fi3

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 24, 2025

Critics of that framing pointed out that Trump had no role in Kimmel’s suspension and that audiences tuning in on Tuesday were largely motivated by curiosity to see whether the host would issue an apology.

During his remarks, Kimmel invoked the name of Erika Kirk but did not offer an apology to her.

Commentators argued that his refusal to address critics directly may limit any long-term benefit from the initial ratings bump.

Industry analysts also noted that affiliates’ refusal to air the program carries consequences for Kimmel’s reach and advertising base.

Without Sinclair and Nexstar, his total broadcast footprint remains diminished, raising questions about whether advertisers will continue to support the show at prior levels.

Kimmel’s contract is set to expire in May, and speculation has already begun about whether the network will renew his deal.

Given his ratings track record, some industry observers question whether the network will continue investing in the program.

On at least one evening during his suspension, affiliates aired Celebrity Family Feud in his time slot, a program that drew favorable ratings in comparison.

As Kimmel resumes his role, the long-term outlook for his late-night platform remains uncertain.

His return episode drew short-term interest, but with no apology offered and affiliates still declining to air the show, his ratings trajectory and contract status will remain closely watched in the coming months.

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